Means for severing sheet metal.



J. SEDLIN.

MEANS FOR SE'VERING SHEET METAL. APPLICATION men JuNE I9. 1916.

Patented Jan. 8, 1918.

ahesjes.

JOHN SEIDLIN,

OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS.

MEANS FOR SEVERING SHEET METAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 8, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN SEDLIN, a citizen of the United States, andresident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinventeu certain new and use-- ful Improvements in Means for SeveringSheet Metal, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in means for severing sheet metaland other hard, stitl materials on straight and curved lines, heretoforerequiring separate pairs of opposing cutting edges or blades, one forsevering on straight lines, another for severing on curved lines, andfor the latter as many pairs of cutt ng edges as there are differencesin the curves to be cut.

The prime object of my invention broadly stated, is to provide a singlepair of opposing cutting edges with means adapting them for severingsheets of metal and other materials on both curved and straight lines,and the one to the exclusion of the other.

A. further object of my invention is to provide for such an arrangementof the severing edges of such an implement that the curved cutting edgeis adapted to cooperate with the other and oppcsing edges for severing asheet of material in a straiglt line, and that all of said edges areadapted to sever with a shear like action without bending the metal, orproducing bur or other rough edges.

Another object of my invention is to provide the opposing cutting edgeswith means for severing sheet metal on curved lines beginning with a cuton the arc of a circle.

A further object of my. invention is to provide a simple and effectivestop device for limiting the opening and closing movement of theopposing cutting edges, for adjusting the opposing cutting edges tosheets of differing thickness, and for preventing their frictional wearfrom passing each other.

Another object of my invention is to provide another and master stop forand adapted to limit the severing action of the cutting edges to thecurved cutting portion thereof, and wh ch at the same time is adapted tosubstantialy and materially facil tate the control and quicken thesevering of the sheet material on a curved line and lines.

Nith these ends in view. my invention finds embodiment in certainfeatures of novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement ofparts by which the said objects and certain other objects are attained,all as hereinafter fully described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates in side elevation a cutting implement provided withcutting edges in which my invention finds its embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a front end elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the straight and curved cuttingedges therefor.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a modified form of the curved cuttingedges.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail thereof on the line 55 of Fig. at, and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a piece of sheet steel illustrating a few ofthe many different forms of cuts producible from the operation of theimplement of my invention.

Similar characters of reference indicate the same parts in the severalfigures of the drawing.

In Figs. 1, 9, and 3 of the drawings 7 and 8 indicate jaws, of which thejaw 7 is provided with on outwardly inclined bevel 9 producing a cuttingedge 10 extending in a straight line transversely the full widththereof, the jaw 8 being provided with an inwardly inclined bevel 11,producing a straight edge 1'2, extending at an oblique angle to thecutting edge 10. merging at one end into an outwardly curved edge13,terminating in a point ll, bisccting a bevel 15 of the adjacent edgeof the jaw 8 and opposing the straight edge 10.

It will now be observed that when the cutting edges are moved to aclosed position, the cutting edge 10 overlaps the cutting edge 12 and inparallel planes, with the result that the curved cutting edge 13cooperates with the str ight cutting edge 12 to sever a sheet in astraight line the length of which is that of the combined length of thecurved and straight. edge of the jaw 8, and that on the other hand whenthe closing movement of the jaws is limited to the inner end of thecurved edge 8 the cut of the opposing edges is limited and restr cted tothe severing of a sheet on a curved line.

As a means for manually operating an instrument provided with thesevering edges of my invention the jaws 8 are pivoted together by meansof a set screw 16 and respectively provided. With handles 17 and 18between which is preferably seated a coiled spring 19 for normallymaintaining the jaws in an open position.

Spring 19 is preferably sleeved upon a pin 20 projecting laterally fromthe handle 17, and preferably screw-threaded therein, as indicated at21, one end of which spring may be, if desired, seated in a recess 23 inthe handle 18, the primary object of which recess, however, is toprovide a seat cooperating with the pin 20 to furnish a closing stoppreventing the cutting edges passing beyond each other to become dulledfrom frictional or striking contact with the opposing surfaces of thejaws when severing on a straight line,

For limiting the expansion of the spring and thereby adjusting theopening between the cutting edges, a screw-tln'eadcd bolt 21: is passedthrough the handle 18 to adjustable contact with the end of the pin 20,the bolt being preferably passed loosely through the handle andscrew-threaded into the pin as indicated at 25, so that the head26 ofthe bolt by its engagement with the handle will operate as a stoplimiting the open movement of the cutting edges accordingly as thescrew-threaded bolt 24 is moved inwardly or outwardly from the pin 20.

This adjustment of the outward movement 1 of the opposing cutting edgesis an important feature of my invention in that it provides a means foraccu 'ately adjusting the normal opening between the cutting edges tothe opposing surfaces of the sheets of material differing in thickness.whereby lost motion in closing the jaws for making the initial cut isreduced to a minimum, and the control of the cutting edges for directingthem along both straight and curved lines is accordingly facilitated forthe reason that from the insant that the point 1-1 penetrates the sheet,the cutting edges have such a grip on the material that they may bedirectedalong predetermined lines on moving the sheets or the cuttingedges accordingly, and with the greatest ease, and accuracy forfollowing the predetermined lines upon which the sheet is to be severed.

Moreover, it may he observed that with the cutting edges adjusted justclose enough to prevent the sheet from passing the point 14 the slitopening produced by the operation of the straight cutting edges willcooperate with the point in directing the straight cutting edges alongthe line preceding their successive severing actions.

hen, however, it is desirable to successfully sever a sheet alongpredetermined straight lines merging into curved lines, and vice versa,and particularly when the lines are on arcs of circles of comparativelylarge diameter, the opening between the jaws is so adjusted to the sheetof material that while fitting closely, it may be passed more or'lessfreely between the point 1% and the portion of the straight edge opposedthereto, and

especially when of such a diameter that a portion of the straight edgemay be utilized when severing along such a line, and in which case thesevering operation on curved lines may be accordingly quickened.

My invention further includes the employment of another and master stopso designated for the reason that it not only operates to restrict thesevering action of the opposing cutting edges to the projection andpoint formed by the curved edge. and prevents the accidental operationof the straight edges, but provides a means by which the point may besuccessfully utilized to sever the sheet with a shear-like action.

This master stop may be of any form or arrangement adapted for securingthe above results, but as shown in the drawing, consists of a tongue 27pivoted at one end to the handle 18 by means of a screw 28, the lengthof which tongue is such that at the instant the point 14 has passedthrough the sheet to be severed the further movement of the opposingcutting edges is prevented by the contact of the handle 17 with the endof the tongue, whereby the length of the closing and opening movement ofthe opposing cutting edges when adjusted to the thickness of the sheetis limited to that thickness.

In other words the stroke of the cutting ec ges is then so short that'itis possible and practical for the operator to locate the perforationsmade through the sheet by the point so close together that the severededges will appear to have been made with a shearlike action as will bebetter understood by,

hearing in mind that in addition to its severing action the point 14operates as a pivot from which to swing the opposing cutting edges fordirecting them along both curved and straight lines.

. As a means for supporting the tongue in its operative position thesurface upon which it is pivoted is provided with a recess form ing ashoulder 31.

The master stop is preferably used only when severing sheets of materialon curves of comparatively small diameter, and when along a very shortstraight line merging into a curve, but for severing on arcs of circlesof comparatively large diameter and long straight lines, the master stopis swung away from its supporting shoulder 31 formed by a recess in thehandle 18 and from the path of'movement of the handle 17.

My invention, however, is not limited to the precise form andarrangement of the opposing straight and curved cutting edgeshereinbefore shown and described. as will be seen by reference to Figs.4 and 5 wherein the end of the edge 10 of the jaw 7 opposing the curvededge 13 is curved inwardly in a plane with the edge 10 as indicated at32, and

the straight edge 12 of the jaw 8 is also curved inwardly as indicatedat 33, the curvatures in both instances being extended along the sideedges of the jaws, and the jaws being so arranged that the convexsurface of the outer edge of the jaw 8 projects into the concavity ofthe inner surface of the jaw 7, or in other words, the inner surface ofthe jaw 7 overlaps the side edge of the jaw 8.

lVhen the jaws are thus formed, a means is provided whereby the enteringcut for a curved line may be produced upon the arc of a circle, andwhich may possibly be desirable in some instances for starting fromstraight line or edge a cut on a curved line, and as may be with verylittle practice.

It is here to be observed, however, that there is no form of curved cutthat cannot, as before described, be made with the implement shown inFigs. 1, 2 and 3, and that with the construction of a cutting implementCOIIGSDOIldiIlg exactly or substantially with that illustrated in Fig. 1of the drawings, it is both possible and practical to sever sheetmaterials, and particularly sheet metal, along any of the continuouslines illustrated in Fig. 6, and which, it is proper to add, furnishesan illustration of but a very few of the many differing forms of cutsproducible with such an implement.

A cutting implement in which my invention finds its embodiment is notonly adapted and useful for producing in sheet materials of variouskinds patterns of numerous de sign, and the construction of cornices andother sheet metal work requiring the use of irregular or ornamentaljoints, but is particularly adapted and useful for severing templets fordie and tool work from sheet metal requiring as they do the accuratesevering of sheet metal along predetermined. irregular lines indicatedthereon and frequently requiring to be drawn to scale, and heretoforenecessitating the use of punches and a chisel or straight edge shears sodifficult of being used with accuracy as to frequently require thecutting of several sheets for the production of a single templet, and inany event at an objectionable expense in time, labor and cost.

In this connection it seems proper to observe that in practice it isfound with the use of the opposing cutting edges of my invention anordinary mechanic can produce a perfectly constructed templet from sheetmetal. either of steel or iron, and in one quarter the time, and withcorresponding less labor and effort than from the use of any implementor implements heretofore known or used for that purpose.

lVith the employment of handles 17 and 18 for manually operating thesevering edges. a pin 34 secured to and projecting inwardly from thehandle 17 in register with a perforation 35 in the handle 18 forms asimple and convenient means for the perforations of the sheets andparticularly templets for stringing together or hanging them on a nail.

In conclusion it should also be understood that my invention is notlimited to a hand manipulation of the jaws nor to the use of pivotedjaws for operating the opposing severing edges as hereinbefore describedfor following and severing either curved or straight lines, and thattherefore my invention includes any means for so actuating the jaws asto enable the cutting edges thereof to operate as hereinbeforedescribed.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent 1s:

1. A portable severing mechanism comprising a pair of cutting members,both of which are provided with opposing straight cutting edges, one ofsaid straight cutting edges .being provided with a severing pointprojecting outwardly therefrom and adapted to cooperate with the edge ofthe opposing member to cut materials on a curved line, a portion of saidcutting member adjacent to said point arranged to cooperate with theopposing cutting member to cut material on a straight line, and meansfor operating said members.

2. A portable severing mechanism comprising a pair ofcutting members,both of which are provided with opposing straight cutting edges inclinedrelatively to each other, one of said straight cutting edges beingprovided with a severing point, projecting outwardly therefrom, andadapted to cooperate with the edgesof the opposing member to cutmaterial on a curved line, the portion of said cutting member adjacentto said point arranged to cooperate with the opposing cutting member tocut material on a straight line, and means for operating said members.

3. A severing means comprising a pair of opposing straight cuttingedges, the end of one of which gradually merges to a cutting pointprojecting in the path of movement of the cutting edge opposed thereto,and means adapted for manually operating and bodily directing said edgesalong alternately curved and straight lines.

t. A severing means comprising a pair of opposing s raight cuttingedges, the end of one of which terminates in a cutting point projectingin the path of the cutting edge opposed thereto, means for limiting theclosing movement of said edges. and means adapted for manually operatingand directing the cutting action of said edges.

5. A severing means comprising a pair of opposing straight cuttingedges, the end of one of which gradually merges to a cutting pointprojecting in the path of movement of the cutting edge opposed thereto,means for adjustably limiting the closing movement of said edges, andmeans for manually operating and directing the cutting action of saidedges.

6. A severing means comprising a pair of opposing cutting edges, the endof one of WlllCll ed 'es' terminates in a cuttin mint projecting in thepath of movement of the cutting edge opposed thereto, means for limitingthe opening movement of said edges, and means for manually directing thecutting action of said edges.

7. A severing means comprising a pair of opposing straight cuttingedges, the end of one of Which merges to a cutting point, projecting inthe path of movement of the cutting edge opposed thereto, means foradjustably limiting the opening movement of said edges, and manual meansfor'directing the cutting action of said edges.

8. A. severing means comprising a pair of opposing cutting edges, theend of one of Which edges terminates in a cutting point projecting inthe path of movement of the cutting edge opposed thereto, an adjustablestop for limiting the opening movement of the opposing cutting edges,and means for manually directing the cutting action of said edges. a

9. A severing means comprising a pair of opposing straight cuttingedges, the end of one of which diverges to a cutting point projecting inthe path of movement of the cutting edge opposed thereto, a swingingstop adapted to limit the closing movement of said edges When and forsevering on curved lines, and means for manually directing the cuttingaction thereof.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and aflixed my seal,this 13th day of May, A. D. 1916. 7

JOHN SEDLIN. [L s.] Witnesses:

MILDRED ELsNnR, Jxo. G. ELLIOTT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each. by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

